Rest with happiness.

“He’d never want you to cry you know?” She started with tears, overflowing the brim of her eye and slipped down her porcelain cheek. Her hands gripped the podium in front of her, knuckles white.  Her fingernails were painted a light pink, just the tiniest difference between her skin color and pink. Her mascara and eyeliner slipped down with the salty tears only to be licked off her lips.

“If he could he’d be standing here right now, with the obnoxious grin on his face, asking what you are all so sad about.” She paused again, a young teenage girl trying to get through her own speech without breaking down or looking hypocritical. “He loved all of us. There was nothing but love in the seventy four years he roamed this earth. Always happy and mischievous. “She looked down to see her mother crying and looking up with a small smile on her face.

“You might not remember, but when I was a little girl the first thing I’d do when I came over to my Pop Pop’s. I’d run right up the stairs and sit on his lap. And despite my mother’s wishes he’s give me a candy and tell me not to tell my mom.” She smiled through the tears. “He loved making trouble and he never thought twice when he could go out and play with his grandchildren. We’d jump in the multi-colored leaves that symbolized Autmn. He’d sit there as we poured leaves into his hair.” Her eyes closed for a second and she took a deep breath.
She looked out at the devastated dark crowd in front of her, they looked up at her as though expecting more.

“I want you to do something for me.” She paused. “Close your eyes. Picture one thing he did that made you smile” She stated, looking out at the group in front of her. All eyes closed, every chapped lip formed a smile
.
“This is what he would want to see. He loved you. You loved him. And Bruce LeBaron was strong. And it was just, time. So don’t fret. He still smiles down on you. And reminds you he’s there. Just hold him close, in your heart, and he will never leave you. He never left.”

With that she left the stage and sat down next to her mother, wrapping her arm around her shoulders and kissing her cheek. That, was all she had wanted to say, since it all happened.